Tank setup
A minimum 60L aquarium suits Checkered Barb. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
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Freshwater Fish
Barbs
Uncommon
Checkered Barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Oliotius oligolepis
Temperature
22° - 26 °C
Max size
5 cm
Min tank
60 L
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What to know before you buy.
A modest barb whose scales form a checkerboard along the flank, with males showing red-edged fins. Undemanding and well behaved in a community of similar-sized fish.
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Everything you need to keep Checkered Barb healthy in a South African setup.
A minimum 60L aquarium suits Checkered Barb. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
Keep pH 6–7.5 and 22–26°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Checkered Barb is omnivore — flake, frozen. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Checkered Barb is generally peaceful, active shoaler. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Pair with similarly sized peaceful, active shoaler tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding notes for Checkered Barb vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
From hobbyists across SA.
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Species that typically work alongside Checkered Barb in a similar setup.
Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
Five-banded Barb
Desmopuntius pentazona
Golden Dwarf Barb
Pethia gelius
Odessa Barb
Pethia padamya
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
Gold Barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Denison Barb (Roseline Shark)
Sahyadria denisonii
Roseline Barb
Sahyadria denisonii